Hi, I'm sittin here today feeling just awful. My 19 1/2 year old calico kitty Lacey fell down some stairs this morning. (She's feeling just awful too!) She started throwing up a while later so I rushed her to the emergency clinic.($328.00) Well, she has no broken bones, but she is unable to walk or even stand for more than a second or two. My hubby's reponse was "There is nothing wrong with that damn cat!" even though there plainly is.

I'm taking her to her regular vet in the morning. I hope she feels at least a little better by then. In the mean time she has pain medication and a hot water bottle and is confined to the dogs old crate.

Why oh why didn't I get that baby gate for the stairs last week when the thought crossed my mind? Guess I should listen to that little voice more closely in the future.

Sniffle sniffle...

-- Anonymous, June 09, 2002

Answers

Debra, I DO feel for you. I also feel bad for your kitty. What bones did she break? I know with splinting and confinement, cats can heal up pretty well, pretty fast. If it's bad breaks, vets can put in screws, etc., just like with humans. I'm sure your TLC will go a long way toward her recovery. Don't blame yourself for the baby gate. You *were* going to do it. Who knew that the cat was going to tumble before you got around to getting it done? Good heavens, what are the odds?!

I'm sure glad you did listen to your own little voice (despite your spouse's) and took the cat to the ER, however. Good job!

-- Anonymous, June 09, 2002

Poor Lacey! Owee!

Yikes! For that amount of money, they had no ideas WHY she couldn't stand or walk? What about sprains? If you have any homeopathic arnica (drops or tiny pills), try to get some of that into her. Or rub the drops on her foot pads. It is excellent for physical trauma. Rescue Remedy (Bach's Flower Remedies) would be helpful too. Also can be rubbed on foot pads. Take some yourself -- good for emotional upsets.

My calico, Molly, lasted to 21 years, through some scary health challenges. I think calicos are extra tough -- I hope that is true for Lacey as well. Maybe she has a pinched nerve or something. Did you see her go down? Did she hit her head?

Please keep us up to date. I hope Lacey will recover quickly! And I hope that you will feel better soon too, Debra, and that your hubby will give you some more support. I know how awful it is to worry about a loved pet -- sending you a hug!

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

I'm so sorry Debra!!! Hopefully just some sprains. Hang in there and please report back....Much love....kirk

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

Hang in there Debra! Several years ago somthing happened to one of my cats, we're not sure exactly what but it appeared to be some sort of seizure or stroke. She couldn't walk at all for a couple of weeks ( I had to carry her to the litterbox and food dish), and she had trouble with her left side and balance for about a year afterward. But she is absolutely fine now with no evidence that anything happened.

I also had a cat when I was a kid who survived getting hit by a car, and his symptoms sound similar to Lacey's. After a week or two he came out of it, although he did have amnesia for a while afterwards.

Take her to the vet and make sure the ER clinic didn't miss anything. Otherwise, just keep her warm an comfortable and make sure she's eating and using the litterbox. It may take a week or two but I'm betting she'll be just fine.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

Sorry about your cat. I hope you all are feeling better today. Let us know.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

Poor dear old Lacey!!! And poor Debra too!!! She probably has a concussion, which explains the throwing up part, and, if she has been healthy before this happened, will be fine with some time to heal. I second Joy's suggestion on using Bach's Rescue Remedy, also other homeopathic treatments as well. Homeopathics are safe with cats, many alternative medicines are not safe with cats, but they are.

Old cats are tough, my sole remaining 21 year old, spoiled rotten housecat (I have eight barn cats) had a stroke early this spring, could barely crawl to the litter box or eat, and a month later was as good as new. I had thought about having her put down when she was bad, I'm glad I didn't!!!

I sure hope she feels better soon, if she is eating, even a little bit, that is a very good sign. Give her anything that appeals to her, the main thing is that she eats.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

Lacey Update- yesterday I took her to her own vet, a very wise man. He laid out all the options for me and offered to take her home with him last night so I could get some rest, as I'd had almost no sleep for two nights. (To much fun at the Pow Wow and then Lacey's accident.) She has had kidney problems since she was 7 and her bloodtest this week showed that they are getting much worse and she's becoming toxic.

After having a good nights sleep so I can think clearly, I believe I'm as ready to say goodbye to her as I'm ever going to be. Unless she has had a miraculous improvement over night, we will put her down after I get off work today. I'm unwilling to put her through all the pain of a back injury only to have to put her down In a month or 3 months or however long it would be till her kidneys shut down and poison her completely.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and encouragement. It really did help alot since my husband is about as sympathetic as a rock and I'll get no emotional support from him.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2002

Debra, my thoughts and love are with you and Lacey today. As much as we love our pets, it takes even more love to know when it's time to let them go. We're here for you. {{{{hug}}}}

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2002

Debra, sounds like you are the wise one. Peace to you.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2002

I think most of us can feel your pain, debra, and I hope you can feel our hugs and sympathy. That is a lot of years to have shared your life with your sweet kitty, and I also know what its like to share your life with someone who lacks empathy.

Blessings to you,

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2002

Sending you another hug, Debra! And a nice scritch for Lacey. It's never easy to know WHEN it's time, and never easy when the time comes.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2002

Condolences Deb. Over the years we've lost a lot of pets and it's never easy.

Wildman, (feeling sad)

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2002

Debra...I'm so sorry about Lacey!!! We all know what it's like losing a beloved pet. I myself have had cats live to 18 plus years and when you live with them that long...well, it's like losing an 18 yr. old child when the end comes!! You're doing the kindest act of all for Lacey by realizing that it's time to let her go. But she really wont be leaving you...I know that I can feel the presence of several of my cats that have passed away in my house!! And I'm sure Lacey will be in your heart forever.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2002

BTW Debra...I just noticed the date on this post and I'm also very sorry that I didn't get here lots sooner!!! The last several days have been quite hectic (so what else is new!!) and I haven't been reading much here...sooo sorry!!

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2002